Dictation mask sound receiver



July 6, l965 H. L. WEBB ETAL 3,193,624

DIGTATION MASK soUND RECEIVER Y Filed Jan. 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1July 6, 1955 H. l.. WEBB ETAI.y 3,193,624

DICTATION MASK SOUND RECEIVER Filed Jan. 19,. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2/lvvE/v roms;

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ATTORNEY' United States Patent O 3,193,624 DICTATIGN MASK SOUND RECEIVERHorace L. Webb, 378 Lake Shore Drive, Massapequa Park, NX., and HaroldM. Steinman, 19 Linden St., Garden City, N .Y.

Filed Jan. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 83,698 15 Claims. (Cl. 179-188) Thisinvention relates to an -ambient-sound excluding dictation Itype mask,sound receiver or transducer such as is employed in electr-icaldictating machines for court reporting or any equivalent, examples beingshown in such patents as those issued to us Nos. 2,526,177; 2,572,- 547;2,625,615; 2,830,135 and 2,848,565.

The instant invent-ion structurally simplifies, improves the `oper-ationand better integrates and enables assembly and disassembly of the partsfor sanitary maintenance; one prime object being to provide for theinhaling of air from the atmosphere outside the mask preferably throughthe front end of the structure, and thus without the presently requiredmanual effort.

4A second object is to produce a novel structure including a casing randseparable or masking wall face end therefor, together with means such asan inhalation tube operable to fasten lsuch par-ts together, and with anassociated endless liexible face fitting piece clipped to the marginaledge of the masking wall and extended into the'casing to provide a soundexcluding joint.

A third important object is -to eliminate to the maximum the `adrnixtureof indrawn air with exhaled air at the dictation zone of the structureyor mask.

Another object is to attain the ends mentioned by providing =a passagecompletely throughout the length of the mask which is large enough tocarry the volume of fresh air required by a user during fast dictation,and more lspecifically to employ a tube to provide such passage incombination with a valve which while permitting rapid and unobstructedinhalation of fresh air therethrough, at the same time prevents thepassage of exhaled air or sound thereint'o.

It is also aimed to provide a novel valve means operating for theinstant escape and dissipation of exhaled air and sound into the casingor housing of the device and exhaust therefrom into the atmosphere, suchvalve means also preventing the return of exhaled air to the rear orsound input end of the mask, the pressures which adversely affect theaction of the diaphragm of the microphone thus being relieved wh-ileattaining improved recording.

A further object is to provide a front or switch-mounting section whichacts as the hand gripping member for the mask, and at the same time isso disposed as to en- -able Ithe air input end for the tube to be 4sopositioned yas not to be obstructed in yany manner by the hand orfingers supporting the mask.

Various additional objects and advantages will bec-ome apparent from aconsideration -of the description following, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, illustrating Aan operative embodiment by wayof example.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of my improved ambient sound-excludingtransducer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear end elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal lsectional View taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 Vof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a blown-up lview .taken on a smaller scale partly inlongitudinal section and partly in elevation and more or lessdiagrammatically showing the detachability of the parts comprising theimproved maks or transducer;

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FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section through parts of the casing and the faceengaging diaphragm showing the mounting of the microphone by the latter;and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation showing the face-engaging end wall ordiaphragm with the face clipped in place thereon.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or similar parts thoughout the different views of theimproved mask, receiver or transducer, 10 designates the main section ofa suitably shapedrhousing or casing, and 11 represents an auxiliarysection of such housing or casing. At the face or rear end of sec-tion10 is a face masking wall structure 12. Parts 1t), 11 and 12 areseparable and usually rigid and of metal or piastic. Said sections aredisposed on an air intake tube 13, usually lof plastic to minimizecondensation and open a-t both ends, and which is of a bore admittingsufficient air for fast dictation. Said tube is detachably disposedcentrally of the sections 1@ and 11, being applicable and removableaxially through the large central opening 14 of an end wall 14 at thefront end and integral with section 10. Said tube 13 at its front end isprovided with a knurled head or knob 15 which may be integral therewith,screw-threaded or in any wise fastened thereto While :at its rear endvare exterior screwthreads l16 usually -of plastic which arescrewthreads 17 of a plastic or metal coupling sleeve 19. Sleeve 19telescopes partly into a central yannular neck 20 of the masking wall 12:and is secured thereto by fastenings 21 for limited pivotal movement toaid in registery of the screw-threads 16 and 17 and ease of adaptationof all of the parts, particularly the plastic and flexible ones inassembling and disassembling the structure.

A soft rubber or equivalent sheet gasket 22, substantially coextensivewith wall =14 is fastened in place against that wall as by a iiange 25of section 11 and screws 24 passing through that ange 25 and into thatwall 14. Gasket 22 has and opening 18 aligned with open-ing 14 throughwhich tube 13 passes. Another soft rubber or equivalent gasket ring 26is slidably held on the tube 13 through dilation of its open center andis of a size to loverlap the adjacent portion of gasket 22 to wellprevent leakage of sound through s-aid opening 14. l

Adjacent said masking wall 12 in order to alternately permit inhalationand exclude exhalation through said tube 13, a thin normally closeddiaphragm or disk valve of elastic rubber or any other sui-tablematerial 28 is provided. This valve as shown is fastened at one portionin any suitable manner as by rivets 29 to a usually tiexible supportingdisk 30 marginally attached .to vthe adjacent end of either sleeve 1,9or tube 13. Disk 30 has :a plurali-ty of openings 31 therethrough and anexhaust opening 32 is provided in the cylindrical wall of casing section1t) and the same is preferably covered by a replaceable porous filter 33of any suitable construction.

One or more openings 34 are provided through the masking wall 12 so thatthe exhaled air and sound may pass into the interior of section 10 andeventually escape therefrom through filter 33 and exhaust opening 32into the atmosphere.

Associated with each of the openings 34 is a normally closed rubber orother iiexible valve disk 3S, which functions to automatically closeduring inhalation and open upon exhalation by the user. Such valve disks35 may be fastened in any suitable manner to masking wall 12 as by thepassage of integral Shanks 36 extending centrally therefrom throughopenings 37 in masking wall 12, which shanks carry compressible rubberor other heads 38 which may be squeezed through such openings 37, andthen eX- pand into the position shown in the drawings in order to retainthem in place.

opening 39 of masking wall 12. `Such microphone is posi-z tioned in agroove itl of a contractile rubber or equivalent ring 41Vwhich includesanla-shaped wall 42 whichwV removably grips masking-wall 12 about theopening 39.

An elastic, usually rubber, ,face contacting piece 42 VisV detachablyfastened marginally of the masking wall 12 and casing section 1t), auditis to be noted that'such masking wall 12 and'face piece are of aconfiguration preferably best conforming to the contour of the face of auser of the device.

Such face piece 42 is endless and generally U or V- Vshape incross-section as engaged with the users face having ay free inner distalflange 43 to directly yieldably tit the usefsface. The other flange 44has an inwardly extending lip'or shoulder` 4S whereby, lin assembly, the

face piece may be stretched or dilated over and byrcon-y Vtraction beretained on an outwardly extending marginal iiange 46,01 the maskingwall Y12 as well shown in FlG. 8. Thus coupled the face pieceand wall 12as a unit as seen in FIGVS, are-positioned on the rear end of casingsection with a lip orshoulder 47 of the face piece extending intosaidsection 1th and the adjacent portion of Wall i4 contacting an outwardlyextending marginal flange 48 on section 19. Thus `upon securing threads16 and 17 together', the parts are assembled. Tightening of the tube 13at such threads compresses the rubber at and adjacent t 4 Y part againstboth air and sound,'and that when the valves 23 and 35 are in closedposition, they also seal the associated parts against passage of bothair and sound.

Various changes may be resorted to within the spirit and scoperof theinvention. t

We claim: v l Y 1; A mask for a sound transducer including a generallytubular rear casing section with a closure wall at lip or shoulder 45 toprovide a dust and sound-proof joint.

A cable 45' `extends into the interior of section 1) through a grommetof insulation 49 secured in a suitable opening of the main wall ofcasing section 10, the cable having conductors adapted to be connectedto a suitable source of electricalenergy (not shown) and appropriatelywired to the microphone M and Vto a control switch S either normallyopen or normally closed as preferred, insulated from andsecured in' theVtop wall of the auxiliary casing section 11. Such switch Smay beyof anysuitable type, and for example has a depressible button Si) which isspring-urged upwardlyY at 51.

1t will be realized that practically all of the parts, espeits front endand provided with an opening, a generally tubular masking wall structurelocated at said rear end, a face fitting piece disposed marginally ofthe rear end of said masking wall structure having a portion functioningas a gasket interposed between the rear casing section and the margin ofthe masking wall structure, a longitudinal inhalation tube extendingthrough said opening, a front casing section fastened against saidcl-osure wall and through which said tube extends, means detachablyinterconnecting the tube within the Vrear casing section to said maskingwall structure, and exhalation outlet means through said maskingl wallstructure.

2. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim L1 wherein thedetachable interconnection of the tube with the masking wall structureis flexible to facilitate registration and connectionof the parts inassembly.

j 3. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim llrwherein saidtube is of plasticto minimize condensa- Y tion. Y

Vthreads between the sleeveand tube.

6; .A mask for a-sound transducer according to claim v 1 and gasketmeans .over said opening contacting said cially the main parts, may bemade of any suitable plastic material, although they may be manufacturedof metal or otherwise. l

Presuming use of the device, the auxiliary casing sec- With the facesuch dictation, an, adequate supply of fresh air from the i atmosphereis automatically drawn from the Vfront directly lthrough the air intaketube 13 past valveV 2S to the face of the use r by inhalation, andas theuserY exhales such valve automatically closes and sealsrovif the ,inner`end of the'tube. Also during such use asfthe user exhales, the exhalingvalves 3S will ,automaticallyopem permitting exhalation through openings34, filter 33:,V and exhaust opening 32, said yexhalation valves 35being normally closed and automatically ciosing and sealing the openings34 against any intake of exhaled air from the interior of sectiony 16. Y

The apparatus is adapted tofbe opened for sanitation and maintenancepurposes by simply unscrewing'the tubeV 13 until the entire facepieceassembly 12,-42 is free of the casing. The casing is then open forreplacement of any absorbent tissues employed and `general cleansing.The same procedure is followed when replacing the facepiece assembly.The facepiece is easily removed, discarded, and replaced. v

It is to be borne in mind that all thel gaskets, such as 1S', 22, 26 andi5 seal the joints oftwhich theyform latter to the rst casing section.

tube and the 'front end of the rear casing section.

7. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim 1 and gasket membersoverlapping one another and one contacting said tube and one contactingthe front end yof the rear casing section.

Y 8. A mask for-atransducer including Ya irst generally tubular casingsection, a generally tubular masking wall structure on Vsaid section fordisposition at the face of the user, Vmeans for exhalation through saidmasking wall structure, a hand gripping auxiliary casing section, aninhalation tube removably extending through the Ylatter -section andinto the first section, means operatively positioning said auxiliarycasing section with respect to the first casingjsection including a headon said tube spaced from the first casing section and in abutment withthe said auxiliary section, and means removably connecting said tube andmasking'wall structure and securing the 9. A mask for a transducerincluding .a casing provided with an endwall andan openend, aninhalation Vtubel extending into the casing through said end wall, a`generallytubular masking wall structure at said open end for locationat the face of the user, exhalation means Athrough the r'nask, aface-fitting piece surrounding said open end having a portion interposedbetween the margin of said masking Wall structure and adjacent surfaceof the casing serving as a gasket, and means detachablyV secur- Y VingVand i.drawing said tube and masking wall structure togetherrwhichclamps said portion against said surface. 161A mask for-a transducerincluding a generally tubular casing provided with an end wall anan openend, av generally tubular masking wall structure disposed across saidopen endfor disposition .at the face of the user, exhalation meansthrough said structure, va faceiitting piece surrounding said open endhaving a portion serving as a gasket interposed' between-the margin ofsaid structure and the adjacent surface of the casing, and

an inhalation tube extending generally longitudinally and centrally ofthe casing and into the latter through said end wall, and meansoperating through relative rotation of the tube and masking wallstructure at a location within the casing and detachably securing thetube and masking wall structure together with the latter clamping saidportion against said surface.

11. A mask for a sound transducer including a generally tubular casingcomprising front and rear sections, a generally tubular masking wallstructure at the rear end of said rear casing section disposable at thetace of the user and having provision for exhalation therethrough, saidfront section being a hand-gripping construction, an inhalation tubemeans extending longitudinally through said sections and deteachablysecuring them together, said tube means extending through said frontcasing section and into the rear casing section at the end opposite saidmasking wall structure, a head on said tube means for abutment againstsaid front section, and means yoperative to Secure the masking wallstructure and the casing and tube means together through the turning ofthe latter.

12. A mash having a sound transducer including a generally tubular rearcasing section open at one end and having a closure wall at its oppositeend provided with an opening therethrough, a generally tubular maskingwall structure at said open end, a face-fitting piece disposedmarginally of said masking wall structure having a portion forming agasket interposed between said casing section and the margin of themasking wall structure, an inhalation tube extending through saidopening and terminating within said rear casing sections, a head on thefront end of said tube, a front casing section 1ocated between said rearcasing section and head through which said tube passes, means operablethrough relative rotation of said tube fastening said front casingsection against said closure wall, means at a location Within the rearcasing section detachably interconnecting through relative rotation thetube and masking wall structure, and

exhalation outlet means through said masking wall structure.

13. A mask for a sound transducer including a generally tubular casingopen at one end with a surrounding marginal Wall at that end, agenerally tubular masking wall structure located at said end of thecasing, an elastic face-fitting element stretched onto the margin ofsaid masking wall structure to position it thereon for unitaryapplication With the latter to the casing, and tubular means detaehablyinterconnecting said masking wall structure to the casing with thestretched portion of said element clamped between said marginal Wall ofthe casing and the masking wall structure to serve as a gasket.

14. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim 13 wherein thedetachable interconnection of the tubular means with the masking wallstructure comprises a sleeve llexibly mounted on said masking wallstructure and screw-threads between the sleeve and tubular means.

15. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim 13 wherein thedetachable interconnection of the tubular means with the masking Wallstructure comprises a sleeve flexibly mounted on said masking wallstructure, screw-threads between the sleeve and tubular means, andgasket means over said opening contacting said tubular means and thefront end of the rear casing section.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,390,488 12/55Alford et al. 179-188 2,745,911 5/56 Webb 179-188 2,754,377 7/56Junghans 179-188 2,769,040 10/56 Di Mattia 179-188 2,830,135 4/58 Webb179-188 2,857,013 10/58 Orso 179-188 2,974,665 3/61 Motsinger 179-188ROBERT H. ROSE, Primary Examiner.

WALTER L. LYNDE, Examiner.

9. A MASK FOR A TRANSDUCER INCLUDING A CASING PROVIDED WITH AN END WALLAND AN OPEN END, AN INHALATION TUBE EXTENDING INTO THE CASING THROUGHSAID END WALL, A GENERALLY TUBULAR MASKING WALL STRUCTURE AT SAID OPENEND FOR LOCATION AT THE FACE OF THE USER, EXHALATION MEANS THROUGH THEMASK, A FACE-FITTING PIECE SURROUNDING SAID OPEN END HAVING A PORTIONINTERPOSED BETWEEN THE MARGIN OF SAID MASKING WALL STRUCTURE ANDADJACENT SURFACE OF THE CASING SERVING AS A GASKET, AND MEANS DETACHABLYSECURING AND DRAWING SAID TUBE AND MASKING WALL STRUCTURE TOGETHER WHICHCLAMPS SAID PORTION AGAINST SAID SURFACE.